scholarly journals Psychophysical Evaluation of the Olfactory Function: European Multicenter Study on 774 COVID-19 Patients

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Luigi Angelo Vaira ◽  
Jerome R. Lechien ◽  
Mohamad Khalife ◽  
Marzia Petrocelli ◽  
Stephane Hans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Objective Evaluation ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Multicenter Cohort Study ◽  
Clinical Research Center ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
European Multicenter Study ◽  
Important Symptom ◽  
Psychophysical Evaluation

Background: The objective evaluation of the olfactory function of coronavirus disease 2019 patients is difficult because of logistical and operator-safety problems. For this reason, in the literature, the data obtained from psychophysical tests are few and based on small case series. Methods: A multicenter, cohort study conducted in seven European hospitals between March 22 and August 20, 2020. The Sniffin-Sticks test and the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center orthonasal olfaction test were used to objectively evaluate the olfactory function. Results: This study included 774 patients, of these 481 (62.1%) presented olfactory dysfunction (OD): 280 were hyposmic and 201 were anosmic. There was a significant difference between self-reported anosmia/hyposmia and psychophysical test results (p = 0.006). Patients with gastroesophageal disorders reported a significantly higher probability of presenting hyposmia (OR 1.86; p = 0.015) and anosmia (OR 2.425; p < 0.001). Fever, chest pain, and phlegm significantly increased the likelihood of having hyposmia but not anosmia or an olfactory disturbance. In contrast, patients with dyspnea, dysphonia, and severe-to-critical COVID-19 were significantly more likely to have no anosmia, while these symptoms had no effect on the risk of developing hyposmia or an OD. Conclusions: Psychophysical assessment represents a significantly more accurate assessment tool for olfactory function than patient self-reported clinical outcomes. Olfactory disturbances appear to be largely independent from the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the patients. The non-association with rhinitis symptoms and the high prevalence as a presenting symptom make olfactory disturbances an important symptom in the differential diagnosis between COVID-19 and common flu.

Nasal Functions in Three-Dimensional Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

2018 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-214
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Garzaro ◽  
Giancarlo Pecorari ◽  
Giuseppe Riva ◽  
Valentina Pennacchietti ◽  
Paolo Pacca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Endoscopic Surgery ◽  
Transsphenoidal Surgery ◽  
Skull Base Surgery ◽  
Standard Procedure ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Objective Evaluation ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Nasal Airflow ◽  
Significant Difference

Objectives: Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery has become the standard procedure for the majority of skull base diseases, including sellar, parasellar, and clival pathologies. The aim of this study was the objective evaluation of nasal airflow resistances and olfactory function in 3-dimensional (3D) endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery. Methods: One hundred patients who underwent 3D transnasal endoscopic surgery for sellar, parasellar, and clival diseases were enrolled. Active anterior rhinomanometry and Sniffin’ Sticks tests were performed before endoscopic surgery and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Results: No significant difference about nasal airflow resistance and olfactory function was observed between preoperative and postoperative subjective and objective scores. In the group of patients with sellar and parasellar diseases, a worst nasal respiratory function was seen when crusting was present, and a worst olfactory function was observed in patients with synechiae. Nasal functions returned to previous levels when crusting or synechiae solved. No statistically significant correlation was observed between the evaluated nasal functions and the reconstruction with flaps. Conclusions: The 3D endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery represents a more and more important tool in skull base surgery. It does not determine nasal respiratory and olfactory alterations after the treatment, without an increase in nasal complaints that could worsen quality of life.

Criteria positive and criteria negative anaphylaxis, with a focus on undifferentiated somatoform idiopathic anaphylaxis: A review and case series

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 436-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Rosloff ◽  
Kunal Patel ◽  
Paul J. Feustel ◽  
Jocelyn Celestin
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Poor Response ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Subjective Symptoms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Physical Findings ◽  
Idiopathic Anaphylaxis

Background: Undifferentiated somatoform (US) idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA) is considered a psychogenic disorder characterized by a lack of observable physical findings and poor response to treatment. Although failure to diagnose true anaphylaxis can have disastrous consequences, identification of US-IA is crucial to limit unnecessary expenses and use of health care resources. Objective: To better define the presentation and understand the potential relationship between US-IA and underlying psychiatric comorbidities. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 110 visits by 107 patients to our institution for evaluation and management of anaphylaxis over a 1-year period. The patients were classified as having either criteria positive (CP) or criteria negative (CN) anaphylaxis based on whether they met Second National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Symposium criteria for the clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Patient characteristics, including objective and subjective signs and symptoms, and the presence of psychiatric diagnoses were collected and analyzed. Statistical significance was assessed by using the Fisher exact test. A literature review of US-IA and other psychogenic forms of anaphylaxis was performed. Results: Patients with CP anaphylaxis were more likely to present with hypotension, wheezing, urticaria, and vomiting than were patients with CN anaphylaxis. The patients with CN anaphylaxis were more likely to present with subjective symptoms of sensory throat tightness or swelling compared with patients with CP anaphylaxis. No significant difference was detected in the prevalence of psychiatric conditions between the two groups. Conclusion: Patients who met previously established diagnostic criteria for anaphylaxis were more likely to present with objective physical findings than those who did not meet criteria for true anaphylaxis. CN patients who presented for treatment of anaphylaxis were more likely to present with subjective symptoms. Formal diagnostic criteria should be used by clinicians when evaluating patients with suspected anaphylaxis.

Introduction of intraoperative neuromonitoring does not necessarily improve overall long-term outcome in elective aneurysm clipping

2020 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
pp. 1188-1196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Greve ◽  
Veit M. Stoecklein ◽  
Franziska Dorn ◽  
Sophia Laskowski ◽  
Niklas Thon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evoked Potentials ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Neurological Outcome ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Intraoperative Neuromonitoring ◽  
Neurosurgical Procedures ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms ◽  
Significant Difference

OBJECTIVEIntraoperative neuromonitoring (IOM), particularly of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), evolved as standard of care in a variety of neurosurgical procedures. Case series report a positive impact of IOM for elective microsurgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (ECUIA), whereas systematic evaluation of its predictive value is lacking. Therefore, the authors analyzed the neurological outcome of patients undergoing ECUIA before and after IOM introduction to this procedure.METHODSThe dates of inclusion in the study were 2007–2014. In this period, ECUIA procedures before (n = 136, NIOM-group; 2007–2010) and after introduction of IOM (n = 138, IOM-group; 2011–2014) were included. The cutoff value for SSEP/MEP abnormality was chosen as an amplitude reduction ≥ 50%. SSEP/MEP changes were correlated with neurological outcome. IOM-undetectable deficits (bulbar, vision, ataxia) were not included in risk stratification.RESULTSThere was no significant difference in sex distribution, follow-up period, subarachnoid hemorrhage risk factors, aneurysm diameter, complexity, and location. Age was higher in the IOM-group (57 vs 54 years, p = 0.012). In the IOM group, there were 18 new postoperative deficits (13.0%, 5.8% permanent), 9 hemisyndromes, 2 comas, 4 bulbar symptoms, and 3 visual deficits. In the NIOM group there were 18 new deficits (13.2%; 7.3% permanent, including 7 hemisyndromes). The groups did not significantly differ in the number or nature of postoperative deficits, nor in their recovery rate. In the IOM group, SSEPs and MEPs were available in 99% of cases. Significant changes were noted in 18 cases, 4 of which exhibited postoperative hemisyndrome, and 1 suffered from prolonged comatose state (5 true-positive cases). Twelve patients showed no new detectable deficits (false positives), however 2 of these cases showed asymptomatic infarction. Five patients with new hemisyndrome and 1 comatose patient did not show significant SSEP/MEP alterations (false negatives). Overall sensitivity of SSEP/MEP monitoring was 45.5%, specificity 89.8%, positive predictive value 27.8%, and negative predictive value 95.0%.CONCLUSIONSThe assumed positive impact of introducing SSEP/MEP monitoring on overall neurological outcome in ECUIA did not reach significance. This study suggests that from a medicolegal point of view, IOM is not stringently required in all neurovascular procedures. However, future studies should carefully address high-risk patients with complex procedures who might benefit more clearly from IOM than others.

scholarly journals Prediction accuracy of standard and total keratometry by swept-source optical biometer for multifocal intraocular lens power calculation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hun Lee ◽  
Jae Lim Chung ◽  
Young Jun Kim ◽  
Jae Yong Kim ◽  
Hungwon Tchah
Keyword(s):  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Intraocular Lenses ◽  
Power Calculation ◽  
Neutral Position ◽  
Swept Source ◽  
Refractive Outcomes ◽  
Case Series Study ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Optical Biometer

AbstractWe aimed to compare the refractive outcomes of cataract surgery with diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) using standard keratometry (K) and total keratometry (TK). In this retrospective observational case series study, a total of 302 patients who underwent cataract surgery with multifocal IOL implantation were included. Predicted refractive outcomes were calculated based on the current standard formulas and a new formula developed for TK using K and TK, which were obtained from a swept-source optical biometer. At 2-month postoperatively, median absolute prediction errors (MedAEs) and proportion of eyes within ± 0.50 diopters (D) of predicted postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) refraction were analyzed. There was no significant difference between MedAEs or proportion of eyes within ± 0.50D of predicted refraction from K and TK in each formula. In TFNT00 and 839MP IOL cases, there was no difference between MedAEs from K and TK using any formula. In 829MP IOL cases, MedAE from TK was significantly larger than that from K in Barrett Universal II/Barrett TK Universal II (P = 0.033). In 677MY IOL cases, MedAE from TK was significantly larger than that from K in Haigis (P = 0.020) and Holladay 2 (P = 0.006) formulas. In the subgroup analysis for IOL, there was no difference between the proportion of eyes within ± 0.50 D of predicted refraction from K and TK using any formula. TFNT00 and 839MP IOLs were favorable with TK, with 677MY IOL with K and 829MP IOL being in a neutral position, which necessitates the study that investigates the accuracy of the new TK technology.

Combining Microfractures, Autologous Bone Graft, and Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis for the Treatment of Juvenile Osteochondral Talar Lesions

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 485-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo D’Ambrosi ◽  
Camilla Maccario ◽  
Chiara Ursino ◽  
Nicola Serra ◽  
Federico Giuseppe Usuelli
Keyword(s):  
Bone Graft ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Osteochondral Lesion ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Autologous Bone Graft ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Autologous Bone

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients younger than 20 years, treated with the arthroscopic-talus autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AT-AMIC) technique and autologous bone graft for osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT). Methods: Eleven patients under 20 years (range 13.3-20.0) underwent the AT-AMIC procedure and autologous bone graft for OLTs. Patients were evaluated preoperatively (T0) and at 6 (T1), 12 (T2), and 24 (T3) months postoperatively, using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Ankle and Hindfoot (AOFAS) score, the visual analog scale and the SF-12 respectively in its Mental and Physical Component Scores. Radiologic assessment included computed tomographic (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intraoperative measurement of the lesion. A multivariate statistical analysis was performed. Results: Mean lesion size measured during surgery was 1.1 cm3 ± 0.5 cm3. We found a significant difference in clinical and radiologic parameters with analysis of variance for repeated measures ( P < .001). All clinical scores significantly improved ( P < .05) from T0 to T3. Lesion area significantly reduced from 119.1 ± 29.1 mm2 preoperatively to 77.9 ± 15.8 mm2 ( P < .05) at final follow-up as assessed by CT, and from 132.2 ± 31.3 mm2 to 85.3 ± 14.5 mm2 ( P < .05) as assessed by MRI. Moreover, we noted an important correlation between intraoperative size of the lesion and body mass index (BMI) ( P = .011). Conclusions: The technique can be considered safe and effective with early good results in young patients. Moreover, we demonstrated a significant correlation between BMI and lesion size and a significant impact of OLTs on quality of life. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

scholarly journals Postinfectious Olfactory Dysfunction: Oral Steroids and Olfactory Training versus Olfactory Training Alone: Is There any Benefit from Steroids?

ORL ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sotiria Genetzaki ◽  
Evangelia Tsakiropoulou ◽  
Vasilios Nikolaidis ◽  
Konstantinos Markou ◽  
Iordanis Konstantinidis
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Olfactory Function ◽  
Line Treatment ◽  
First Line ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Oral Steroids ◽  
Group A ◽  
Olfactory Training ◽  
First Line Treatment

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> There are limited treatment options for postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD). Olfactory training has recently been used in clinical practice, but no medical treatment is widely accepted. Although there is weak evidence for their value, some physicians use oral corticosteroids as first-line treatment. The aim of this study was to compare combined oral methylprednisolone and olfactory training with olfactory training alone in the management of PIOD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This prospective cohort study included 131 patients with PIOD over a 2-year period before the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-eight patients who were treated with oral methylprednisolone and olfactory training (group A) were compared with 53 patients who were treated with olfactory training only (group B). Olfactory function was evaluated with “Sniffin’ Sticks” at baseline and 2, 8, and 16 weeks after initial assessment. Patients who improved after steroid treatment underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses, skin prick tests, lung spirometry, and sputum eosinophil assessment. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Oral steroids improved 19.23% of patients (<i>n</i> = 15) of group A. History, clinical evaluation, imaging, and laboratory tests identified an inflammatory background in half of them (<i>n</i> = 8). The remaining 7 had no findings of nasal inflammation, and all had a short history of olfactory dysfunction. Both groups significantly improved in olfactory testing results at the end of the olfactory training scheme without significant difference between them. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The percentage of improved patients after oral methylprednisolone was relatively low to suggest it as first-line treatment. Half of the improved patients had an underlying upper airway inflammatory condition not related to the infection that caused the acute loss of olfactory function.

scholarly journals Villoglandular adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna K. Dietl ◽  
Matthias W. Beckmann ◽  
Konrad Aumann
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Uterine Cervix ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Conservative Group ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stage Ia ◽  
Invasive Management

Abstract Purpose Villoglandular adenocarcinoma (VGA) of the uterine cervix has been classified as a rare subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma with good prognosis. A conservative surgical approach is considered feasible. The main risk factor is the presence of other histologic types of cancer. In this largest systematic review to date, we assess oncological outcomes associated with conservative therapy compared to those associated with invasive management in the treatment of stage Ia and Ib1 VGA. Methods Case series and case reports identified by searching the PubMed database were eligible for inclusion in this review (stage Ia–Ib1). Results A total of 271 patients were included in our literature review. 54 (20%) patients were treated by “conservative management” (conization, simple hysterectomy, and trachelectomy) and 217 (80%) by “invasive management” (radical hysterectomy ± radiation, hysterectomy, and radiation). Recurrences of disease (RODs) were found in the conservative group in two (4%) cases and in the invasive group in nine (4%) cases. There was no significant difference in disease-free survival (DFS) according to conservative or invasive treatment (p = 0.75). The histology of VGA may be complex with underlying usual adenocarcinoma (UAC) combined with VGA. Conclusion The excellent prognosis of pure VGA and the young age of the patients may justify the management of this tumor using a less radical procedure. The histological diagnosis of VGA is a challenge, and pretreatment should not be based solely on a simple punch biopsy but rather a conization with wide tumor-free margins.

scholarly journals The underestimated issue of non-reproducible cardiac troponin I and T results: case series and systematic review of the literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Favresse ◽  
Jean-Louis Bayart ◽  
Damien Gruson ◽  
Sergio Bernardini ◽  
Aldo Clerico ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Judgment ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Troponin T ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Cardiac troponins (cTn) are the preferred biomarkers for the evaluation of myocardial injury and play a key role in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Pre-analytical or analytical issues and interferences affecting troponin T and I assays are therefore of major concern given the risk of misdiagnosis. False positive troponin results have been related to various interferences including anti-troponin antibodies, heterophilic antibodies, or elevated alkaline phosphatase level. On the other hand, false negative results have been reported in the case of a large biotin intake. These interferences are characterized with erroneous but reproducible troponin results. Of interest, non-reproducible results have also been reported in the literature. In other words, if the sample is reanalyzed a second time, a significant difference in troponin results will be observed. These interferences have been named “fliers” or “outliers”. Compared to the biotin interference that received major attention in the literature, troponin outliers are also able to induce harmful clinical consequences for the patient. Moreover, the prevalence of outliers in recent studies was found to be higher (0.28–0.57%) compared to the biotin interference. The aim of this systematic review is to warn clinicians about these non-reproducible results that may alter their clinical judgment. Four case reports that occurred in the Clinique of Saint-Luc Bouge are presented to attest this point. Moreover, we aimed at identifying the nature of these non-reproducible troponin results, determining their occurrence, and describing the best way for their identification.

Stereotactic Electroencephalography Is Associated With Reduced Pain and Opioid Use When Compared with Subdural Grids: A Case Series

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan P Scoville ◽  
Evan Joyce ◽  
Joshua Hunsaker ◽  
Jared Reese ◽  
Herschel Wilde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Surgical Methods ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract BACKGROUND Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been shown to decrease length of hospital stay and opioid use. OBJECTIVE To identify whether surgery for epilepsy mapping via MIS stereotactically placed electroencephalography (SEEG) electrodes decreased overall opioid use when compared with craniotomy for EEG grid placement (ECoG). METHODS Patients who underwent surgery for epilepsy mapping, either SEEG or ECoG, were identified through retrospective chart review from 2015 through 2018. The hospital stay was separated into specific time periods to distinguish opioid use immediately postoperatively, throughout the rest of the stay and at discharge. The total amount of opioids consumed during each period was calculated by transforming all types of opioids into their morphine equivalents (ME). Pain scores were also collected using a modification of the Clinically Aligned Pain Assessment (CAPA) scale. The 2 surgical groups were compared using appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS The study identified 43 patients who met the inclusion criteria: 36 underwent SEEG placement and 17 underwent craniotomy grid placement. There was a statistically significant difference in median opioid consumption per hospital stay between the ECoG and the SEEG placement groups, 307.8 vs 71.5 ME, respectively (P = .0011). There was also a significant difference in CAPA scales between the 2 groups (P = .0117). CONCLUSION Opioid use is significantly lower in patients who undergo MIS epilepsy mapping via SEEG compared with those who undergo the more invasive ECoG procedure. As part of efforts to decrease the overall opioid burden, these results should be considered by patients and surgeons when deciding on surgical methods.

scholarly journals Laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty: an alternative procedure for end-stage achalasia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fátima Senra ◽  
Lalin Navaratne ◽  
Asunción Acosta-Mérida ◽  
Stuart Gould ◽  
Alberto Martínez-Isla
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Lower Oesophageal Sphincter ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Motor Disorder ◽  
Reflux Symptom Index ◽  
Symptom Index ◽  
End Stage ◽  
Rescue Procedure

Abstract Background Primary achalasia is a rare oesophageal motor disorder characterized by the absence of swallow-induced relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter and diminished or absent oesophageal body peristalsis. Around 5% of these patients will develop end-stage achalasia, where oesophagectomy may be advocated. We present the laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty as an alternative ‘oesophagus-preserving’ procedure in patients with end-stage achalasia. Methods We present a retrospective review of four patients who underwent laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty. Data collected included pre-operative demographic information and investigations; and post-operative outcomes. Patients were scored pre- and post-operatively using Reflux Symptom Index, Eating Assessment Tool-10 and Voice Handicap Index-10 questionnaires. Results Four patients underwent laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty during the study period. In one patient, it was performed as a rescue procedure during attempted myotomy following multiple perforations of friable mucosa. In the other three patients, laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty was performed for end-stage achalasia. None of the patients had post-operative complications and all patients were discharged on the second post-operative day. All patients experienced improvement in swallowing symptoms (EAT-10; p = 0.03) but developed post-operative gastroesophageal reflux. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first published case series of laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty for end-stage achalasia. It appears to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of end-stage achalasia, offering an alternative minimally invasive procedure to oesophagectomy. Laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty can also be used as a ‘rescue’ procedure during myotomy in patients who have poor-quality mucosa which perforates intra-operatively or is at high risk of perforation/leaking post-operatively.

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